Brief Overview of μεταλαμβάνω (Strong’s G3335: metalambanō)

Unveiling the Word

In biblical studies, understanding Greek terms opens the door to deeper insights into scripture, as many nuances and meanings are best preserved in the original language. The Greek word μεταλαμβάνω (metalambanō) is a significant term that appears in the New Testament and carries meanings related to partaking, receiving, or sharing. Its use in passages like Acts 2:46 enriches our understanding of early Christian fellowship, emphasizing the communal sharing of food and resources among believers. Additionally, the word provides a lens into the broader Greek cultural context where it also related to receiving and participating in various aspects of life, including rituals and social gatherings.

Necessary Information

Greek Word: μεταλαμβάνω (metalambanō, pronunciation: meh-tah-lahm-BAH-no)

Etymology: μεταλαμβάνω is derived from the combination of the preposition “μετα-” (meta-), meaning “with” or “after,” and the verb “λαμβάνω” (lambanō), meaning “to take” or “to receive.” The composite word thus carries the idea of receiving something alongside others or partaking in a shared experience.

Part of Speech: μεταλαμβάνω is a verb. As a verb, it operates in various tenses, voices, and moods depending on the context in which it is used, often reflecting an action that involves receiving or sharing.

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Defining Meanings

Meaning 1: To partake or receive something in common, especially within a communal or shared context. In Acts 2:46, μεταλαμβάνω refers to the practice of breaking bread and sharing meals together.

Meaning 2: To share in or participate in something more generally, whether it be physical (such as food) or abstract (such as responsibilities or emotions).

Meaning 3: To take or receive something from another. In classical Greek contexts, this could involve receiving an object or participating in a ritual where something was passed from one person to another.

Exploring Similar Words

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λαμβάνω (lambanō, pronounced lahm-BAH-no): This is the root verb for μεταλαμβάνω and means “to take” or “to receive.” While it focuses more on the act of individual reception, μεταλαμβάνω emphasizes the shared or communal aspect of receiving.

κοινωνέω (koinoneō, pronounced koy-no-NEH-oh): This verb means “to share” or “to have fellowship.” While both words involve sharing, κοινωνέω focuses on the broader sense of fellowship and commonality, particularly in relationships or spiritual matters.

μετέχω (metechō, pronounced meh-TEH-khoh): This verb means “to partake” or “to participate in.” It overlaps with μεταλαμβάνω in describing shared experiences but can also apply to participating in non-material or abstract things, such as partaking in the benefits of an agreement or covenant.

Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Tense, Voice, Mood: μεταλαμβάνω appears in different tenses to express various aspects of receiving or partaking. In the present tense, it suggests an ongoing or habitual action. In the aorist tense, it refers to a completed action. The verb can also appear in the indicative mood to describe facts, as well as in the imperative mood when giving instructions or commands related to receiving or sharing. The voice of the verb can be active, where the subject performs the action, or passive, where the subject is the recipient.

Person and Number: μεταλαμβάνω can be conjugated according to person and number. For example, the 1st person singular present indicative form is μεταλαμβάνω, meaning “I partake” or “I receive.”

Aspect: The aspect of the verb, whether imperfective (ongoing action) or perfective (completed action), plays a key role in how the action is perceived—either as a continuous process of sharing or as a one-time act of receiving.

Conjugation Table: Present Indicative Active

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Studying Lexicon Insights

The word μεταλαμβάνω carries a rich variety of meanings in different Greek lexicons, all of which revolve around the concepts of sharing, receiving, or partaking. In the New Testament, the word emphasizes communal acts of fellowship, such as the breaking of bread in Acts 2:46. Here, it points to a physical act of sharing meals, which also has deep spiritual connotations, symbolizing unity and mutual care among believers. Classical Greek usage, on the other hand, often involved receiving something in more practical or ritualistic settings, such as taking part in a ceremony or sharing goods. Theologically, μεταλαμβάνω reflects the Christian value of participation in community life, underlining the importance of fellowship, generosity, and shared spiritual experience.

This overview synthesizes insights from BDAG, Thayer’s, LSJ, Vine’s, Strong’s, LEH, and Moulton and Milligan.

Tracing Related Scriptures

• Acts 2:46: “So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, partaking [μεταλαμβάνω] of their meals together.”
• Hebrews 6:7: “For the earth which drinks in the rain that often comes upon it, and bears herbs useful for those by whom it is cultivated, receives [μεταλαμβάνω] blessings from God.”
• Hebrews 12:10: “For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may partake [μεταλαμβάνω] of His holiness.”

Analyzing Classical Usage

Noteworthy Summary

The Greek verb μεταλαμβάνω, meaning to partake, receive, or share, plays a critical role in understanding community life in the early church, as seen in Acts 2:46, where it describes the communal breaking of bread. It reflects both physical and spiritual participation, emphasizing fellowship among believers. In classical Greek literature, it similarly conveys the act of receiving or sharing, whether it is food, wisdom, or participation in rituals. Theologically, the word serves to illustrate the Christian principle of shared experiences and blessings, drawing attention to the importance of unity within the body of Christ. Its broader cultural and literary contexts also highlight its versatility in describing both mundane and sacred acts of sharing.

Did You Know?

• μεταλαμβάνω is often used in the context of sharing meals, a practice central to early Christian fellowship and symbolic of deeper spiritual unity.
• The root verb λαμβάνω is related to modern English terms like “lambent,” which means softly radiant, tracing back to the idea of something being “taken in” or received.
• In ancient Greece, μεταλαμβάνω was frequently used to describe participation in communal feasts, reflecting the cultural importance of shared meals in both religious and social settings.